County in crisis: Dumler digs in as outrage mounts

Chris Dumler focuses on the county budget, rather than the people calling for his head.

photo by lisa provence

Several protesters faced the Board of Supervisors with this poster February 25.

photo by lisa provence

Ken Boyd, right, wants Dumler to resign; Dumler says he can still do his work on the board. The two were at a county budget presentation February 22.

photo by lisa provence

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More than a month after Scottsville Supervisor Chris Dumler pleaded guilty to sexual battery and steadfastly refused to resign from the Albemarle Board of Supervisors, igniting a firestorm that's jumped the pond to the Daily Mail in Britain, the Democratic committees of Albemarle and Charlottesville have called for him to leave, as did Dem Delegate and House Minority Leader David Toscano.

And as he readies to spend his first weekend in jail March 8, Dumler faces additional repercussions. A captain in the U.S. Army Reserve Legal Command, he's the subject of an "administrative process" in which penalties can range from "a counseling statement to an other-than-honorable discharge," according to an Army spokesperson.

Even under pressure that might turn coal into diamonds, at press time, Dumler insists he's not going to resign– and that he's "looking forward to working on the budget on behalf of the folks who elected me."

On February 27, he released a statement and made the rounds of media interviews, apologizing for what he calls "inappropriate" behavior.

The next day, Dumler spoke to WINA's Coy Barefoot, who beseeched Dumler to "do the right thing and resign." A caller named Meredith said she was the victim and found his apologies insincere and his statements a "slap in the face." Said Meredith, "I want my voice."

Dumler is a cad. He doesn't like that description– and he's been called worse– but says, "I wouldn't say that's an unfair characterization." He admits he has a history of treating women badly, including his girlfriend, whom he cheated on in the encounter that led to him being charged with forcible sodomy last fall. "I've been disrespectful and discourteous," he says of his M.O. with the opposite sex. "My current girlfriend– I obviously treated her very badly."

And then there's the victim. "The legality or illegally of any of this notwithstanding, I acted inappropriately and I would like to make a formal apology to her," says Dumler, who is himself a criminal defense attorney. "Obviously, my actions– as evidenced by her reaction– left her upset and distressed, and I certainly never meant for that to happen; I am sincerely sorry."

The apologies don't stop there. There's also one for his fellow board members and Albemarle County staff. "I'm very sorry for having put them in that situation," he says, referring to the recent board meetings that started with a line-up of citizens urging Dumler to resign in appeals ranging from the well-modulated to a tirade containing the f-word that resulted in the woman speaker being hauled out of Lane Auditorium.

Finally, there's remorse to his constituents. "I know I have violated that public trust," he says. "All I can do is work to mend those fences and rebuild that trust."

Since Dumler pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery January 31, the outrage– and drama– continue to swell. Following the February 25 meeting from which protester Jamie Morgan was ejected after running to the podium and screaming, "He's rolling his eyes. He's rolling his f**king eyes," Dumler's usual allies on the board, Democrat Ann Mallek and independent Dennis Rooker, both now say it's time for him to go.

"I think their concern is a valid one," concedes Dumler.

Nonetheless, he's adamant that he's not resigning when he talks to the Hook on February 27. "That would be unfair to the citizens of the Scottsville district to be punished for my lapse in judgment," he says.

"When he says he has a responsibility to the people of Scottsville," said WINA caller Amanda on February 28, "that was before he raped my sister. Let me tell you straight up– that man raped my sister."

There's been some buzz that Dumler would resign if he could choose his successor. "I can't comment on that," he says. "I decided not to go that route."

Instead, he explains, it would be unfair to his constituents to leave them with an unelected official unfamiliar with much of the critical county business that needs to be conducted, such as the $300-million budget and the comprehensive plan.

While he's clearing the air on the criminal charges that spawned this unprecedented mess, the beleaguered supe maintains he would have been acquitted at trial if he could have afforded another $40,000 to defend himself.

"I would rather be bankrupt having fought for my name than to take a plea deal," said an impassioned Barefoot on-air. "I would rather be on the street asking for food and money than take a plea deal."

Fluvanna Commonwealth's Attorney Jeff Haislip, who was appointed special prosecutor on the case, calls it "unfortunate" that a month after the plea agreement, Dumler is still releasing information to the press and making claims that he would have won the case.

"To say he only pleaded guilty because of the money is disrespectful of the victims," says Haislip.

"All I'll say from the commonwealth's attorney's office is, we only bring charges we believe the person accused committed," says Haislip. He also acknowledges, "He-said she-said cases are very tough."

According to the plea agreement, there are two additional victims and no other charges will be brought against Dumler in those cases. Haislip says the two women who contacted him were kept apprised of and agreed to the plea– and that Charlottesville Commonwealth's Attorney Dave Chapman signed off on it as well.

"It's disrespectful to them to make it seem like they were silenced," maintains Haislip.

He also says the requirement Dumler have a psychosexual evaluation and apologize were necessary "so the victim wouldn't feel like it was a baseless claim."

Haislip explains the difference between forcible sodomy and rape. "From a statutory perspective, they're interchangeable," he says. "It depends on the orifice."

Although the criminal matter is settled, lawyer Dumler also could face disciplinary action from the Army and from the Virginia State Bar.

"There are repercussions, especially for something serious like this," says Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Lawrence, who says an Army review is underway. The sexual battery conviction could affect security clearances, for example. "It reflects on their abilities and their character," he says.

The Virginia State Bar cannot confirm or deny whether it has a case against Dumler, says professional regulator Ned Case in an email. He points to the misdeeds that get a lawyer's license suspended or revoked, which include convictions of crimes that are felonies or "any other offense involving theft, fraud, forgery, extortion, bribery or perjury," a list that does not include misdemeanor sexual battery.

Supervisor Ken Boyd is one of those not swayed by Dumler's apologies. "He looks a little phony," says the Rivanna supe. "The more I look at it, it seems disingenuous. He seems like a disingenuous person."

Dumler is causing problems for the other supervisors with all the email they're getting, says Boyd. "We've never had to remove someone from the auditorium before," he notes of the February 25 ejection.

"His constituents are bypassing him," continues Boyd. "We're already seeing he can't do his job. That'll be important when it gets to a judge."

Victim Meredith told Coy Barefoot that watching her personal trauma become a political fiasco has been devastating.

"The way the Democratic party of Albemarle has reacted to this is sickening to me," she said, noting that she has voted all-Democrat in every election and feels betrayed by the party she believed stood for women's and victims' rights. In particular, she calls out Ann Mallek and Cynthia Neff for standing up for him– although Mallek called for his censure. Meredith did not respond to requests for comment from the Hook.

By March 3, both city and county Dems issue statements for Dumler to resign.

County Dems have suffered back-to-back convictions of an elected official and their vice chair, Neff, for DUI. Neff, who posted $50,000 bond for Dumler, is no longer listed on the party's website, and chair Valerie L'Herrou is moving to Richmond.

Their statement commends Dumler for his work on behalf of the citizens of Scottsville and of Albemarle County, but notes his behavior "does not reflect Democratic values and standards, nor the standard to which we hold our elected officials."

City Democrats are more forceful in declaring that they "abhor all forms of sexual exploitation" and "find it inappropriate for someone who has pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual battery to hold the office of supervisor in our neighboring county."

Some have wondered why it took weeks for Democrats to reach that conclusion.

"We didn't want to be hasty about telling a neighboring jurisdiction who could serve," says city Dem chair Jim Nix. "A lot of people felt strongly about this. There was a growing unhappiness in the party. We couldn't remain silent."

Dumler declines to comment on the repudiation by his party.

As for working a deal to appoint a Democrat to keep the board's 3-3 split and entice Dumler to resign, says Republican Supe Boyd, "I'm totally opposed to that. I'm opposed to anything but an open and transparent process. We go through that process all the time with appointing people to the planning commission or architectural board. We don't ask political affiliation."

"It's fine for Ken to say there won't be a deal," says independent Supervisor Dennis Rooker. "But he can't make Chris resign."

Rooker says he's always privately encouraged Dumler to resign. "It would be better for Chris and the county for him to resign," he says. "I've told him that several times."

Rooker believes that if a replacement were found who will uphold issues Dumler supports and has promised to champion, such as limiting growth in the rural areas, "in my opinion, he will be comfortable and resign," says Rooker.

The day he speaks with a reporter, Rooker gets a message from someone who says, "Thank you for keeping Chris Dumler on the board until a suitable replacement is found so all your work isn't undone."

The calls and emails Rooker has received reflect a variety of viewpoints, he says. And of the 13 people who spoke out against Dumler at the February 25 meeting, observes Rooker, "I think those who were most vociferous were city residents."

He adds, "The ball is in Chris's court."

In the court of Earl Smith, the originator of the petition for removal, are 299 signatures of Scottsville district citizens to fire Dumler– 73 short of the minimum required for legal action, he tells the Hook on February 28. Smith admits he's a little frustrated that with all the people calling for a Dumler ouster, only a handful are actually helping him collect the signatures needed to do so through the only avenue afforded by Virginia law.

"I'm not stopping until I get all I need," he vows. On March 4, news outlets reported that Smith had around 460 unverified signatures.

Smith says he doesn't belong to a political party or group, including the Occupiers or Tea Partiers, who want Dumler out.

The Keene resident saw Dumler on television apologizing. "I won't say he wasn't sincere, but I didn't get that feeling," says Smith. "When he says no one can take his place, that's self-serving. My reaction? That arrogant rascal is at it again."

Victim Meredith isn't buying the apologies either, which she calls "emotionless and insincere" on WINA and says he's only doing it because it's part of the plea deal that he requested.

"One of the biggest regrets I have right now is not going through the trial," she says.

30 comments

All my own hair March 6th, 2013 | 8:50am

So when Dumler defended himself by saying he wasn't being charged with rape he was correct and being a lawyer, a distinction without a difference.

Dennis Rooker only cares that the next person appointed votes against his precious bypass. He has the gall to ask Dumler to resign "after calling it a youthful mistake" and now wants to let Dumler pick his own replacement after Dumler dishonored himself? Wow It's time for Rooker to pack his bags and get off the dais because that man has been there too long.

As for Dumler I fear he could surprise us all and stay in office much longer than any of us would have guessed. Without a sense of shame he truly believes he can weather this storm. Perhaps he will us Clarence Thomas as his role model and sit there silent except to vote- the difference will be that Dumler's public service has an expiration date.

Bill Marshall March 6th, 2013 | 10:59am

Ken Boyd will pay dearly for his stance in this... it is obvious that he is seeing an opportunity to shaft the people in the Scottsville district and his motives have nothing to do with women or Dumlers actions. Pure partisan politics..... There are a lot of people who think Boyd can't do his job too... you know like speak honestly about his motives....

Contrary to the headline I see the outrage subsiding as people with common sense prevail. I believe that more people realize that those in his District should not be punished for his misdeeds and that they are being attacked by people outside the district with an ugly need for revenge.

A deal was negotiated. A conviction was had, the system is playing out the way it is supposed to. If the victim does not feel the apology is sincere then there is little he can do.
He is taking the stance right or wrong that he wants to do a good job for his district and perhaps redeem himself. I think there are more people in this town willing to give him a chance at redemption then there were two weeks ago, not less. There will always be a core group of haters but there always are.

I predict the haters and crazies will carry on for awhile, but at some point the Board will regain the reigns and make them follow the rules and not disrupt meetings and instead use the proper forum for airing greviances.

These efforts would be put to better use comvincing the people in charge to make it easier for a victim to come forward. preserve evidence, discreetly and with as little discomfort as possible. Doing that might actually accomplish something to prevent future crimes. Attacking him like this when he is already under probation and the watchful eye of virutally everyone isn't doing anything but shafting the people in his district for something they didn't do.

Get real March 6th, 2013 | 11:27am

This ain't about Boyd - it's about the people of Scottsville who feel they need to bypass their current supervisor -I hate to say this but Scottsville would be better served if Dorrier came back even in his declining health. It seems the only people who want Dumler to stay are those with their own political agenda.
Dumler was accused by someone who said they were a democrat, kick out of the Democratic Party of Albemarle, and asked to resign by both Mallek and Toscano. But BM thinks it's now a republicans fault!?
Hilarious

What they said March 6th, 2013 | 12:00pm

@get real, no. . . get realererer, nothing is as it appears, you are just looking at the facts of the assault case, there are other things going on here. . . mostly everyone else knows that.

Meanwhile.... March 6th, 2013 | 2:28pm

No, BM, you are wrong again. Mr. Boyd will Pay no price for this. There is no downside to opposing a convicted sexual batterer. This is precisely why the pressure will not stop. What is likely to happen is soon the national media will catch wind of this and then the real pressure will be brought. When that happens, you and all those defending this man's tenure on the board will look like fools to the whole country, instead of just to the whole county.

Cvillian March 6th, 2013 | 2:38pm

Buried in this story is some GREAT news! Democratic Party chairman L'Herrou is moving to Richmond, and Cynthia Neff's name has disappeared from the Party web site! Good riddance ladies. Your ineptness in not controlling Dumler and idiotic support of a convicted sex offender is troubling to the extreme. Don't be surprised nnow if some Teapublican becomes the next Scottsville supervisor. Anyone who thinks that Dumler won't be pulled from his supervisor's chair by the Court isn't paying attention. The law is clear. All the plaintiffs have to prove "material adverse effects" in the conduct of his job. There is more than enough evidence and more than enough witnesses for the plaintiffs. I predict Dumler gone by the end of summer. He can "dig in his heels" all he wants. Let's see how much money he's willing to spend on preserving his job as supervisor, since he doesn't have any to fight his forcible sodomy charge. Let's see if he defends himself in this case, which he could have done in his felony case.

"All the plaintiffs have to prove "material adverse effects" in the conduct of his job."

I doubt the judge will consider being harrassed by people who don't like you who live outside your district in his process. If he did then all that would have to happen is for Democrats to get enough signatures to recall Boyd and harrass him at public meetings and point that out to the judge. Thats not how it works.

Cvillian March 6th, 2013 | 2:55pm

Bill, you don't know what you're talking about. I will, however, ask you to hold your opinion on this for about two weeks. More breaking news on the "material adverse effects". Remember, it used to be just three Teapublican supervisors against Dumler until Supervisors Rooker and Mallek came out against him. Then Mallek's Democratic Party came out against him. The numbers of Ds and Independents testifying against him will far outweigh the GOP opposition. It doesn't matter who is against Dumler or where they reside in the County, as long as they and him are creating "Material adverse effects". Anyway, wait and watch. Keep your powder dry Bill, you'll need it.

Cvillian March 6th, 2013 | 3:23pm

Lisa Provence's article refers to investigation of by the U S Army because he is a Captain (JAG) in the U S Army Reserves. Here's more to add to his stellar military career: http://militarycorruption.com/dumler2.htm

satchel March 6th, 2013 | 4:03pm

ask yourself: if you were a woman running a business in scottsville, and you needed to speak with your representative on the BoS, would you feel comfortable scheduling a private meeting with chris dumler--a convicted sexual batterer? especially when you know he's been accused of several of these assaults? would i recommend my wife meet alone with this man? obviously not.

so how is he serving on the board "effectively" if half the population--the women of the scottsville district--can not meet with him without running the risk of putting themselves in the way of physical harm? this is not a hyperbolic scenario; it's the reality of the situation when you have a serial sexual predator as your representative.

bottom line is that dumler can NOT "effectively" serve the women of his district, and that fact meets the legal criteria for his removal.

Bill Marshall March 6th, 2013 | 4:34pm

Cvillian, We will see what happens, but to me it is simple. She was was the victim of a crime. She filed charges, he was convicted, he will do his time and that part is over.

The law does not call for removal for a misdemeanor in a recall for sexual matters. His ability to do his job is compromised by harrassment from people who he doesn't represent and some he does. So the Judge will look at his ability to make sound judgments for his district despite the harrassment. If his judgments are sound and there is no compelling reason to think otherwise then the Judge has a DUTY to protect the people of his district who WANT him. (even if its only one frickin person) over people who don't want him in there because they don't like him or what he did. I would bet on the judge protecting the voters over the vigilantis. If the other Board members don't like it then they can choose to not listen to his opinions and let their voters decide whether that was the correct choice of action at election time.

It is about Constitutional law and protection of all citizens not just people who want blood and retribution.

If he were black and all other circumstances were the same you would have Al Sharpton down here with national news teams fighting FOR him not against him.

I don't care how much people harrass him on the streets but I hope he digs in and the vigilantis lose. That is the way America is supposed to work.

If you don't like it fix the law for next time. You don't get do-overs.

Say This Isn't Really Happening March 6th, 2013 | 6:20pm

Commonwealth of Virginia section 18.2-67.1 defines "forcible sodomy" as a "sexually violent offense" for which sex offender registration is required.

As stated in this Hook article, "Haislip explains the difference between forcible sodomy and rape. "From a statutory perspective, they're interchangeable," he says. "It depends on the orifice." "Misdemeanor sexual battery means "sexually abusing someone against their will, touching private parts without consent," says the prosecutor."

The Commonwealth defines forcible sodomy as,
" 2. The act is accomplished against the will of the complaining witness, by force, threat or intimidation of or against the complaining witness or another person, or through the use of the complaining witness's mental incapacity or physical helplessness.

B. Forcible sodomy is a felony punishable by confinement in a state correctional facility for life or for any term not less than five years; and in addition: ..."

Dumler got off with a very light sentence. Odds are that is only because he himself is a criminal defense attorney and knows how to play the system and knows how to manipulate victims, as being good at victim manipulation is an integral part of the sex offender mentality.

Ponce De leon March 6th, 2013 | 7:28pm

say this isnt really happening ... you are out of your mind...

He wasn't convicted of forcible sodomy, which is a felony. He was comvicted of a misdeameanor. He is not a registered sex offender.

He was NOT convicted of forcible sodomy or anal rape and you are wrong for saying so. the article does not say so and no one has reported that. If he cut a deal you don't like then hold your breath crap your diaper and get over it. Thats the way it works and all of your false claims won't change documents in the courthouse.

Your spouting off is not doing the victim any favors. If you want to attack him on the facts then go for it, but when you outright lie you just seem desperate.

The recidivism rate is irrelevant too unless something happens, then it it up to the judge at that time to consider what to do with him. It is not for you to decide or any of the other loonietunes spouting off that know nothing except that they think two wrongs make a right.

Say This Isn't Really Happening March 6th, 2013 | 8:36pm

@Ponce, Your reading skills are lacking. Dumler was "charged" with forcible sodomy, as stated. Dumler, a criminal defense attorney, admitted to the charges per the statements on record. However, Dumler, a criminal defense attorney, successfully manipulated the victims into agreeing to a plea deal which he, a criminal defense attorney, initiated so as to avoid trial. The victim preferred not to testify more publicly to the the explicit and graphic details of the forced sex act - this is understandable and quite common. However, in no way does that change the fact that Dumler acknowledged committing the forced sex act. He did it. He committed the crime, regardless of the fact that he was slick enough to win a plea deal and reduce the charge to a misdemeanor.

"Attack him on the facts"? The fact is: Dumler Did It.

What they said March 6th, 2013 | 8:37pm

OK, so I'm hoping this guy has finally figured out that his behavior was pretty heinous, and will seek help to figure out why he treated women this way and how to control himself. But, is there no forgiveness for this man? Why must we beat the drum for him to move from our area? Do you have any idea how many guys with a much longer (and younger) list of victims live amongst us? Should they all be sent to an island somewhere? I thought we who live here in Charlottesville were a much more enlightened bunch than that. Who are you haters, do you even live here? Unless you live in his district, what you think about Dumler is basically a personal problem. I have a personal problem with the 3 Amigos, but they are not from my district, so there really is nothing I can do about them. The crazy thing is, what they did by doing Sean Connaughton's bidding has greatly affected Dennis Rooker's district, my district. What they did was done as Supervisors, what Dumler did was done in his personal life, but he has to resign? The midnight vote will cost our state millions of dollars and take money away from much needed projects that actually make sense. The Western Bypass design that these guys support will destroy our environment and the lives of families and schoolchildren. Personally, I think these offenses should be worthy of prosecution. I just wish those guys had said "No, our county decided a long time ago the old design is not a good design, we have Places29 now." But they didn't say that, did they? I wonder why? Oh, and even though no one had to be removed from a BOS meeting after we all found out about the sneaky vote, you better believe a lot of folks wanted Boyd off the board after that stab in the back, and attended subsequent meetings to voice our outrage. Unfortunately the machine that set this all in motion shut down the possibility of any real public involvement. Oh, and Mr. Boyd is so supportive of an open and transparent process. I'm sorry if you haters think The Bypass is irrelevant to the Dumler issue, but when Mr. Boyd finds it necessary to make his ridiculous holier-than-thou comments, I just can't let it go, and I also just might think that his party is involved behind the scenes, and I can't let that go, either.

Sent from my iPad

Sent from my iPad

Meanwhile.... March 6th, 2013 | 10:29pm

'What they said', how many women would you allow Dumler to assault to have your way on the transportation infrastructure issue? I mean, where is the threshold where you say, "my personal stake in these public policy issues is not as important as these women being sexually assaulted"?

Not a trick question, but absolutely germain to your comment.

What they said March 6th, 2013 | 10:43pm

No, that is not what I said, or meant. I am sorry if I was unclear about that. I seriously hope Chris Dumler gets the help he needs and finds a way to live a better life. I have no control over his morals, values or job. It would be great if we had exemplary human beings representing us on the BOS, but in reality they are just human.

Meanwhile.... March 6th, 2013 | 11:23pm

I seriously hope Chris dumbler's victims get the help they need! Dumbler can rot in jail. The fact that I might agree with him on some public policy issue is irrelevant. He needs to GO. Wait until this story gets national press. The western bypass isn't worth the safety of dumbler's victims.

Ponce De leon March 6th, 2013 | 11:46pm

say it aint happening, ....It doesn't matter what he was CHARGED with. it matters what he was convicted of. and under the law it was a misdemenor and under the law he stays on the board unless removed by due process. To say that the prosecutor was duped is an allegation I believe even he would deny.

The people in his district elected him and the recall procedure is clear.

There is not a "conspiracy" to get him out but there sure are a lot of different breeds of sharks with different agendas coming together for a mutual goal. Some think that noble or righteous. It is neither. The people in his district need to be heard and I would imagine if this gets to a judge they will be. I also imagine that they won't feel it fair for them to pay for his mistake by letting vigilantis and questionable politicians in their own right take away their duly elected representative.

downtown brown March 7th, 2013 | 9:54am

Is there anything in this article that hasn't already been printed by the Hook? Talk about recycling news to give their readers something to comment on...

NOT Ponce March 7th, 2013 | 10:18am

"The Virginia State Bar cannot confirm or deny whether it has a case against Dumler, says professional regulator Ned Case in an email. He points to the misdeeds that get a lawyer's license suspended or revoked, which include convictions of crimes that are felonies or "any other offense involving theft, fraud, forgery, extortion, bribery or perjury," a list that does not include misdemeanor sexual battery.

Rule 8.4, among others, is what is going to cause this man the most problem. The rule of law, as Mr. Marshall rightly espouses, is going to be Dumler's problem. Mr. Smith has the signatures...from SCOTTSVILLE residents. There are plenty of SCOTTSVILLE residents who will testify they can not be represented by this man. He has already had to cancel events, resign from committee, and should recuse himself on budget discussion and voting due to the CIP and some line item funding.

If he were to resign now, take 5 years and dedicate himself to making honest, believable change in his views towards women and volunteer with victim assistance programs, he could come back and make a genuine case that he understood the magnitude of his crimes and has re-invented himself. ANY POLITICAL ADVISER IN THE WORLD would have advised him to do this months ago. (I happen to know a thing or two about the role and advise of political advisers)

However, the longer he allows this to continue, the worse it will become. NOT because of crazy vigilante women, but because he is going to have trouble with the military and the VSB.

I understand Mr. Marshall's point about the residents wanting the representation they voted for. So, the BOS appoints the Scottsville District Planning Commissioner (who is fully versed in the issues, and was chosen by Dumler) and the county can move on.

My thoughts and prayers are that the victims in all of this can find a way to overcome their understandable feeling of being violated.

Bill Marshall March 7th, 2013 | 1:30pm

Not Ponce, I would think the court would look at the death threat as reason to NOT throw him out of office as that is illegal intimidation. Otherwise people would threaten politicians all day long.

If he is willing to meet with constituents and they choose not to meet with him then that is not him being inneffctive under the law. That is their choice and theirs alone. The idea that someone feels for their safety through the use of an email is ridiculous.

Councilors recuse themselves all the time. Unless his is overly excessive then it is not an issue.

If he has trouble with the military and the law license then that is on him bit still has nothing to do with his district.

He cannot appoint his own replacement and Ken Boyd has said that he won't bend any rules to make a smooth transition because he wants to stack the Board.) So it doesn't really matter who might come in unless that issue is resolved. Maybe the loonies should go attack him. (thats a joke, boyd is well within his rights to be jerk)

If the number of signatures was so overwhelming that the judge could conclude that it was truly the will of those who actually elected him that want him gone then perhaps a Judge would remove him. Unfortunatly for the war mongers, the Judge would have to feel that those agianst him now are those who were for him and changed their mind, not people who were never for him in the first place. and certainly not people from Crozet and Lee park occupiers with felony records themselves.

NOT Ponce March 7th, 2013 | 5:47pm

You are 100% certain there was a credible death threat? Did he report it? (I believe that because he is a public official, a death threat investigation takes on a whole different tone) Or was it a means to an end? I honestly do not think we will ever know the answer to that one.

I think that unfortunately, because of the issues involved here (the bypass among others) this has become much more political than it ever should have been. But remember, judges are political too. I know you are intelligent enough to understand that.

It's too bad Boyd can't see the forest for the trees. The Bypass was done LONG before the supes voted by the way. That was a state deal that the PEC couldn't even delay. (I know a bit about the bypass as well) And IF a judge does see what I believe is clear, the most logical individual to replace Dumler is the commissioner. Maybe if Dumler ever realizes his seat is in jeopardy, he'll be willing to tell Boyd, OK, I'll go, but I want a say in my replacement.

I also understand and agree that the people in Scottsville are the most affected by all of this, but I think it would be easy enough to find people who voted for him now willing to say they are no longer willing to engage him in his official capacity, and thus, are now without equitable representation.

but to me personally (which means nothing because I don't live there), the issues with the military and the VSB go directly to character over and above the obvious criminal offense. I believe elected and appointed officials should be held to a higher standard of behavior. If, as a society in general, we condone this man continuing as a representative of the people, fit for public service, what message are we sending to the next generation of leaders?

Ponce, thanks for having sense and making it. Does anybody know what sexual battery is?

Gail March 8th, 2013 | 4:55pm

This should NOT be a political matter at all! The fact is, what you do in your private life reflects on your public life. It can reasonably be argued that Anthony Weiner (the Congressman who sexted pics of his privates to women) did much less harm to women than Dummler has done. Yet Weiner resigned! If you read about narcisstic personality disorder, Chris Dummler seems to have the attributes. It's all about how things affect him and what he can say to make things sound better. You don't want someone who can potentially be blackmailed in office. Remember, there was more than 1 victim and who knows how many have NOT come forward?

Repeating some comments I recently made on another story:

There are a couple of things that I haven't heard anything about that still bother me
about the Dummler situation (besides the obvious!).

I'm pretty sure that Dennis Rooker did not tell the truth in his interview with Coy.
It's bad enough that he goes on about how Chris should resign and move away and start his
life over; he never addresses the fact that what Dummler did was wrong and that he could
just move somewhere and do the same thing and that Dennis doesn't seem worried about the
victims at all. However, something else bothered me greatly: Rooker said that he'd
gotten a lot of emails about the situation and that most of the people emailing had not
voted for Dummler. (Hence, he was rather dismissive about the emails.) I called and
asked how he knew how people voted from their emails unless they specifically said one
way or the other. Rooker claimed that MOST of the people had their addresses on the
emails. First of all, I think it would be a VERY small percentage of folks who put their
address on their email (physical address); 2ndly, aside from then knowing if they were
from the Scottsville district or not; how would he know how they voted unless they said
so? I don't think that's the truth at all. It'd be interesting to see if FOIA showed
addresses on emails!

I also chided Mr. Rooker on his characterization of the Dummler situation as a
"youthful mistake". I pointed out that youth doesn't excuse that type of
behavior AND that the 1st victim who came forward did so in October which was NOT that
long ago!! (Hence, Dummler was already a supervisor and close to the age he is now.)
Mr. Rooker then claimed that the "youthful mistake" quote was something that
the interviewer in the Daily Progress said, not him. I looked it up, and the
"youthful mistake" quote was listed in quotes as something Rooker said. Would
he really let himself be misquoted like that if he had not, indeed, said that? Again, I
feel he was being less than truthful.

Mr. Dummler said that he's gotten "many more" emails asking him to stay than to
go. Again, wouldn't a FOIA check be interesting here?!

But the one thing that I've heard no one discuss is Dummler appearing to renege on his
vow to not run again. Coy Barefoot asked him what he hoped to gain by staying in the
position when he's said he wouldn't run again and etc. and I feel that Dummler clearly
began to backpedal! He said that he knew he had said that, and he meant it at the time
BUT. . ." "and gave a bunch of excuses and reasons why that might not be so.
If I didn't completely misunderstand this (and I don't think I did; listen to the
interview), then Dummler was saying that he might just seek reelection. Unbelievable!
.

Gail March 8th, 2013 | 5:32pm

This should NOT be a political matter at all! The fact is, what you do in your private life reflects on your public life. It can reasonably be argued that Anthony Weiner (the Congressman who sexted pics of his privates to women) did much less harm to women than Dummler has done. Yet Weiner resigned! If you read about narcisstic personality disorder, Chris Dummler seems to have the attributes. It's all about how things affect him and what he can say to make things sound better. You don't want someone who can potentially be blackmailed in office. This also affects how he relates to people and how they relate to him. Remember, there was more than 1 victim and who knows how many have NOT come forward?

Repeating some comments I recently made on another story:

There are a couple of things that I haven't heard anything about that still bother me
about the Dummler situation (besides the obvious!).

I'm pretty sure that Dennis Rooker did not tell the truth in his interview with Coy.
It's bad enough that he goes on about how Chris should resign and move away and start his
life over; he never addresses the fact that what Dummler did was wrong and that he could
just move somewhere and do the same thing and that Dennis doesn't seem worried about the
victims at all. However, something else bothered me greatly: Rooker said that he'd
gotten a lot of emails about the situation and that most of the people emailing had not
voted for Dummler. (Hence, he was rather dismissive about the emails.) I called and
asked how he knew how people voted from their emails unless they specifically said one
way or the other. Rooker claimed that MOST of the people had their addresses on the
emails. First of all, I think it would be a VERY small percentage of folks who put their
address on their email (physical address); 2ndly, aside from then knowing if they were
from the Scottsville district or not; how would he know how they voted unless they said
so? I don't think that's the truth at all. It'd be interesting to see if FOIA showed
addresses on emails!

I also chided Mr. Rooker on his characterization of the Dummler situation as a
"youthful mistake". I pointed out that youth doesn't excuse that type of
behavior AND that the 1st victim who came forward did so in October which was NOT that
long ago!! (Hence, Dummler was already a supervisor and close to the age he is now.)
Mr. Rooker then claimed that the "youthful mistake" quote was something that
the interviewer in the Daily Progress said, not him. I looked it up, and the
"youthful mistake" quote was listed in quotes as something Rooker said. Would
he really let himself be misquoted like that if he had not, indeed, said that? Again, I
feel he was being less than truthful.

Mr. Dummler said that he's gotten "many more" emails asking him to stay than to
go. Again, wouldn't a FOIA check be interesting here?!

But the one thing that I've heard no one discuss is Dummler appearing to renege on his
vow to not run again. Coy Barefoot asked him what he hoped to gain by staying in the
position when he's said he wouldn't run again and etc. and I feel that Dummler clearly
began to backpedal! He said that he knew he had said that, and he meant it at the time
BUT. . ." "and gave a bunch of excuses and reasons why that might not be so.
If I didn't completely misunderstand this (and I don't think I did; listen to the
interview), then Dummler was saying that he might just seek reelection. Unbelievable!
.

Amanda March 9th, 2013 | 9:20am

No greater love hath a girlfriend for her admitted and convicted sexual batterer boyfriend than to give him a lift to the regional jail to begin serving his sentence: